The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Ecclesiaticus 07
1 Do no evil, so no evil will overtake you.
2 Depart from wrong,and it will turn away from you.
3 My son, don’t sow upon the furrows of
unrighteousness, and you won’t reap them sevenfold.
4 Don’t seek preeminence from the Lord,
nor the seat of honor from the king.
5 Don’t justify yourself in the presence of
the Lord, and don’t display your
wisdom before the king.
6 Don’t seek to be a judge, lest you not
be able to take away iniquities, lest perhaps
you fear the person of a mighty man,
and lay a stumbling block inthe way of
your uprightness.
7 Don’t sin against the multitude of the city.
Don’t disgrace yourself in the crowd.
8 Don’t commit a sin twice, for even in
one you will not be unpunished.
9 Don’t say, “He will look upon the multitude of my gifts.
When I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.”
10 Don’t be faint-hearted in your prayer.
Don’t neglect to give alms.
11 Don’t laugh a man to scorn when he is in
the bitterness of his soul, for there is
one who humbles and exalts.
12 Don’t devise† a lie against your brother,
or do the same to a friend.
13 Refuse to utter a lie, for that habit
results in no good.
14 Don’t babble in the assembly of elders.
Don’t repeat your words in your
prayer.
15 Don’t hate hard labor or farm work,
which the Most High has created.
16 Don’t number yourself among the multitude of sinners.
Remember that wrath will not wait.
17 Humble your soul greatly,
for the punishment of the ungodly
man is fire and the worm.
18 Don’t exchange a friend for something,
neither a true brother for the gold of
Ophir.
19 Don’t deprive yourself of a wise and
good wife, for her grace is worth more than gold.
20 Don’t abuse a servant who works faithfully,
or a hireling who gives you his life.
21 Let your soul love a wise servant.
Don’t defraud him of liberty.
22 Do you have cattle? Look after them.
If they are profitable to you, let them
stay by you.
23 Do you have children? Correct them,
and make them obedient from their
youth.
24 Do you have daughters? Take care of
their bodies, and don’t be overly
indulgent toward them.
25 Give your daughter in marriage, and
you will have accomplished a great
matter. Give her to a man of understanding.
26 Do you have a wife who pleases you?
Don’t cast her out. ‡ But don’t trust
your self to one who is hateful.
27 Honor your father with your whole
heart, and don’t forget the birth pangs of
your mother.
28 Remember that you were born of them.
What will you repay them for the
things that they have done for you?
29 Fear the Lord with all your soul;
and revere his priests.
30 With all your strength love him who
made you. Don’t forsake his ministers.
31 Fear the Lord and honor the priest.
Give him his portion, even as it is commanded you:
the first fruits, the trespass offering,
the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice
of sanctification, and the
first fruits of holy things.
32 Also stretch out your hand to the poor
man, that your blessing may be complete.
33 A gift has grace in the sight of every
living man. Don’t withhold grace for a dead man.
34 Don’t avoid those who weep,
and mourn with those who mourn.
35 Don’t be slow to visit a sick man,
for by such things you will gain love.
36 In all your words, remember eternity,
and you will never sin.